Protocol translation device

ABSTRACT

A protocol translation device for use with a first apparatus having a battery compartment and communicating over a first wireless protocol, and for use with a second apparatus communicating over a second wireless protocol. The protocol translation device can include a battery casing sized to fit within the battery compartment, the battery casing defining an interior volume; a translator having a first antenna operable to communicate with the first apparatus, a second antenna operable to communicate with the second apparatus, and a translator circuit operably connected between the first antenna and the second antenna; and a battery operably connected to power the translator. The translator circuit is operable to translate between the first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol. The translator and the battery are disposed within the interior volume.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field of this disclosure is wireless communicationdevices, particularly, protocol translation devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advances in electronics and telemetry have resulted in theminiaturization of personal electronic devices such that electronicdevices which previously required large stationary equipment can now beworn about the person. Such electronic devices are often powered bybatteries stored in a battery compartment and are able to communicatewith other electronic devices in their vicinity.

Communication protocols for communication between electronic devicesevolve over time with hardware and software improvements to providefaster, more reliable communication. Unfortunately, existing electronicdevices are stuck with the communication protocol with which they werebuilt. Newer communication protocols required to interact with newerexternal devices are often different than the original communicationprotocol available in an older, as-built electronic device. Although theolder electronic device remains capable of performing its originalfunction, it is unable to interact with the newer devices and to takeadvantage of their improvements and additional features.

It would be desirable to have a protocol translation device that wouldovercome the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention provides a protocol translation device foruse with a first apparatus having a battery compartment andcommunicating over a first wireless protocol, and for use with a secondapparatus communicating over a second wireless protocol, the protocoltranslation device including: a battery casing sized to fit within thebattery compartment, the battery casing defining an interior volume; atranslator including a first antenna operable to communicate with thefirst apparatus, a second antenna operable to communicate with thesecond apparatus, and a translator circuit operably connected betweenthe first antenna and the second antenna, the translator circuit beingoperable to translate between the first wireless protocol and the secondwireless protocol, being operable to communicate with the first antennaon the first wireless protocol, and being operable to communicate withthe second antenna on the second wireless protocol; and a batteryoperably connected to power the translator; wherein the translator andthe battery are disposed within the interior volume.

Another aspect of the invention provides a protocol translation devicefor use with a first apparatus having a battery compartment andcommunicating over a first wireless protocol, and for use with a secondapparatus communicating over a second wireless protocol, the protocoltranslation device including: a battery casing sized to fit within thebattery compartment, the battery casing defining an interior volume; atranslator including a first antenna operable to receive a first-insignal from the first apparatus, the first-in signal conforming to thefirst wireless protocol, a translator circuit operable to receive thefirst-in signal from the first antenna and operable to translate thefirst-in signal to a second-out signal conforming to the second wirelessprotocol, and a second antenna operable to receive the second-out signalfrom the translator circuit and operable to transmit the second-outsignal to the second apparatus; and a battery operably connected topower the translator; wherein the translator and the battery aredisposed within the interior volume.

Another aspect of the invention provides a protocol translation devicefor use with an insulin pump having a battery compartment sized to fit aAAA battery and communicating over a 916.5 MHz OOK protocol, and for usewith a smart phone communicating over a Bluetooth protocol, the protocoltranslation device including: a battery casing sized to a AAA batteryform factor, the battery casing defining an interior volume; atranslator including a first antenna operable to communicate with theinsulin pump, a second antenna operable to communicate with the smartphone, and a translator circuit operably connected between the firstantenna and the second antenna, the translator circuit being operable totranslate between the 916.5 MHz OOK protocol and the Bluetooth protocol,being operable to communicate with the first antenna on the 916.5 MHzOOK protocol, and being operable to communicate with the second antennaon the Bluetooth protocol; and a rechargeable battery operably connectedto power the translator and the insulin pump; wherein the translator andthe rechargeable battery are disposed within the interior volume.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention willbecome further apparent from the following detailed description of thepresently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merelyillustrative of the invention, rather than limiting the scope of theinvention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a protocol translation device made inaccordance with the invention.

FIGS. 2A & 2B are an external diagram and a cross-section diagram,respectively, of a protocol translation device made in accordance withthe invention.

FIGS. 3A & 3B are a depiction and an exploded diagram, respectively, ofan insulin pump for use with a protocol translation device made inaccordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is another schematic diagram of a protocol translation devicemade in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a protocol translation device made inaccordance with the invention. The protocol translation device fitswithin the battery compartment of an apparatus and translates a firstwireless protocol used by the apparatus to another second wirelessprotocol, so the apparatus can communicate with another apparatus overthe second wireless protocol.

The protocol translation device 100 is for use with a first apparatus150 having a battery compartment 152 and communicating over a firstwireless protocol, and for use with a second apparatus 170 communicatingover a second wireless protocol. In this embodiment, the protocoltranslation device 100 includes a battery casing 110 sized to fit withinthe battery compartment 152, the battery casing 110 defining an interiorvolume 112; a translator 120 having a first antenna 122 operable tocommunicate with the first apparatus 150, a second antenna 124 operableto communicate with the second apparatus 170, and a translator circuit130 operably connected between the first antenna 122 and the secondantenna 124; and a battery 140 operably connected to power thetranslator. The translator circuit 130 is operable to translate betweenthe first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol, isoperable to communicate with the first antenna 122 on the first wirelessprotocol, and is operable to communicate with the second antenna 124 onthe second wireless protocol. The translator 120 and the battery 140 aredisposed within the interior volume 112. In this example, the battery140 is further operably connected to power the first apparatus 150 inaddition to the protocol translation device 100.

In this example, the first apparatus 150 further includes a memory 154operable to store programming code, a processor 156 operably connectedto the memory 154, and a communication interface 158 operably connectedto the processor 156. The processor 156 is responsive to the programmingcode stored in the memory 154 to send and receive wireless signalsconforming to the first wireless protocol from the communicationinterface 158. The processor 156 of the first apparatus 150 can be anyprocessor desired for a particular application. Exemplary processorsinclude a central processing unit and a microprocessor. The processorcan include or be attached to auxiliary equipment, such as memory, datastorage, additional processors, input/output devices, antennas, and thelike, as required to perform various functions.

The communications between the first apparatus 150 and the secondapparatus 170 can be described in terms of the signals between the firstapparatus 150 and the second apparatus 170. In this embodiment, thecommunication interface 158 of the first apparatus 150 generates afirst-in signal 121 which the first antenna 122 receives and passes tothe translator circuit 130. The first-in signal 121 conforms to thefirst wireless protocol. The translator circuit 130 receives thefirst-in signal 121 and translates the first-in signal 121 to asecond-out signal 123 which the second antenna 124 receives and passesto the second apparatus 170. The second-out signal 123 conforms to thesecond wireless protocol. In this embodiment, the second apparatus 170generates a second-in signal 125 which the second antenna 124 receivesand passes to the translator circuit 130. The second-in signal 125conforms to the second wireless protocol. The translator circuit 130receives the second-in signal 125 and translates the second-in signal125 to a first-out signal 127 which the first antenna 122 receives andpasses to the communication interface 158 of the first apparatus 150.The first-out signal 127 conforms to the first wireless protocol.

The first apparatus 150 and the second apparatus 170 can be anyapparatus which the user desires to put in communication. For example,the first apparatus 150 can be an older apparatus designed tocommunicate on a first wireless protocol incompatible with the secondapparatus 170, which is newer and uses a more recently developed secondwireless protocol. The protocol translation device 100 translates thefirst wireless protocol to the second wireless protocol to allow thefirst apparatus 150 and the second apparatus 170 to communicate.

The first apparatus 150 can be any apparatus communicating over thefirst wireless protocol and having a battery compartment as desired fora particular application. In one example, the first apparatus 150 is aninsulin pump communicating on a 916.5 MHz OOK protocol with a batterycompartment sized to fit a AA or AAA battery. In other examples, thefirst apparatus 150 can be a medical monitoring device, such as aportable heart rate monitor, another drug infusion pump, or the like.

The second apparatus 170 can be any apparatus communicating over thesecond wireless protocol. In one example, the second apparatus 170 is asmart phone communicating on a Bluetooth protocol and/or 802.11 (WiFi).In other examples, the second apparatus 170 can be a Bluetooth enableddesktop or laptop computer, a tablet device, a smart watch/wearabledevice, a Bluetooth enabled vehicle information system, a Bluetoothenabled stationary medical monitoring station, or the like.

The first wireless protocol of the first apparatus 150 and the secondwireless protocol of the second apparatus 170 can be any wirelessprotocols for which translation is desired to allow communicationbetween the first apparatus 150 and the second apparatus 170. In oneexample, the first wireless protocol is a 916.5 MHz OOK protocol and thesecond wireless protocol is a Bluetooth protocol. In other embodiments,the first wireless protocol can be a protocol following a modulationscheme, such as OOK, 2-FSK, ASK, GFSK, MSK, or the like, on a broadcastband, such as 916.5 MHz, ISM, SRD, MICS (400 MHz), or the like. In otherembodiments, the second wireless protocol can be Bluetooth, BluetoothLow Energy, Zigbee, 802.11 (WiFi), HiperLAN (High Performance RadioLAN), other commercially available protocols and frequencies, or thelike.

The protocol translation device 100 includes the battery casing 110; thetranslator 120 including the first antenna 122, the translator circuit130, and the second antenna 124.

The battery casing 110 as defined and used herein can be any casingsized to fit within the battery compartment of the first apparatus 150.In one embodiment, the battery casing 110 is same size as a AA battery,a AAA battery, or the like, which is used with the first apparatus 150during as-designed operation, i.e., for operation with the battery whichthe first apparatus 150 was originally designed to use. The interiorvolume 112 of the battery casing 110 receives the translator 120 and thebattery 140, and can also receive other components as desired for aparticular application. In one embodiment, the protocol translationdevice 100 is sealed to meet the IPX-8 liquid ingress protectionstandard.

The first antenna 122 of the translator 120 can be any antenna operableto communicate with the first apparatus 150 on the first wirelessprotocol. In one embodiment, the first antenna 122 is a 900 MHz antenna.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional components canbe employed with the first antenna, such as a balun inserted between thefirst antenna 122 and the translator circuit 130 to balance thetransmission line circuit. In one embodiment, the first antenna 122 isincorporated as a trace on the printed circuit board supporting thetranslator circuit 130.

The second antenna 124 of the translator 120 can be any antenna operableto communicate with the second apparatus 170 on the second wirelessprotocol. In one embodiment, the second antenna 124 is a Bluetoothantenna. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that additionalcomponents can be employed with the second antenna, such as a baluninserted between the second antenna 124 and the translator circuit 130to balance the transmission line circuit.

The translator circuit 130 can be any circuit operable to translatebetween the first wireless protocol of the first apparatus 150 and thesecond wireless protocol of the second apparatus 170. The translatorcircuit 130 is operable to translate between the first wireless protocoland the second wireless protocol, is operable to communicate with thefirst antenna 122 on the first wireless protocol, and is operable tocommunicate with the second antenna 124 on the second wireless protocol.In one embodiment, the main component of the translator circuit 130 is aProgrammable Radio-on-Chip with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), such as theCYBL10X6X manufactured by Cypress Semiconductor of San Jose, Calif.,USA, which incorporates an ARM-core processor. The ProgrammableRadio-on-Chip with BLE is configurable to communicate with the firstapparatus 150 over a number of wireless protocols in the frequency rangeof 300-900 MHz and to communicate with the second apparatus 170 over aBluetooth protocol.

The battery 140 is operably connected to power translator circuit 130 ofthe protocol translation device 100. The battery 140 can be any batterywith sufficient voltage and capacity desired for a particularapplication. Exemplary battery types include nickel-cadmium (NiCd),nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion),lithium polymer, alkaline, and the like. In one embodiment, the battery140 can be rechargeable. In one embodiment, the battery 140 can operablyconnected to power the first apparatus 150, such as an insulin pump orthe like, so that the protocol translation device 100 replaces theas-designed battery used by the first apparatus 150, i.e., the batterywhich the first apparatus 150 was originally designed to use. In oneembodiment, the battery 140 can have a capacity of 250-300 mAhr. Whenthe battery casing 110 is same size as a AAA battery, the battery 140can be configured as a stack of button-cell batteries, a half AAA softcell, or the like.

FIGS. 2A & 2B, in which like elements share like reference numbers, arean external diagram and a cross-section diagram, respectively, of aprotocol translation device made in accordance with the invention. Inthis example, the protocol translation device 200 is configured with thebattery casing 110 being the same size and configuration as a AAAbattery, i.e., having the same form factor. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the form factor of the battery casing 110 can bethe same form factor as that of the original battery designed to be usedwith the first apparatus.

The protocol translation device 200 includes a battery casing 210defining an interior volume 212 and having a positive end cap 202 and anegative end cap 204. The translator 220 and the battery 240 aredisposed within the interior volume 212. The interior volume 212 caninclude spacers and/or adapters to receive the protocol translationdevice components, such as the translator 220 and the battery 240. Thetranslator 220 includes the first antenna 222, the translator circuit230, and the second antenna 224. In this embodiment, the first antenna222 is part of the printed circuit board to which the other componentsof the translator 220 are attached. In this embodiment, the translatorcircuit 230 also includes a power management chip 229, which governsregulation of the voltage rails VCC powering the components of thetranslator 220.

The protocol translation device 200 in this example is rechargeable andpowers the first apparatus in which it is installed. The powermanagement chip 229 also governs recharging the battery 240 through thepositive end cap 202 and a negative end cap 204 to which the terminalsof the battery 240 are operably connected. The battery 240 can berecharged by placing the protocol translation device 200 in a standardAAA charger compatible with the chosen chemistry of the battery 240.

FIGS. 3A & 3B, in which like elements share like reference numbers, area depiction and an exploded diagram, respectively, of an insulin pumpfor use with a protocol translation device made in accordance with theinvention. The insulin pump is one example of a first apparatus having abattery compartment with which a protocol translation device can beused.

FIG. 3A is a depiction of an insulin pump for use with a protocoltranslation device made in accordance with the invention. The insulinpump 300 in this example is a Medtronic MiniMed Paradigm Revel™ InsulinPump. The insulin pump 300 includes a battery compartment 326 forreceiving the protocol translation device.

FIG. 3B is an exploded diagram of an insulin pump for use with aprotocol translation device made in accordance with the invention. Theinsulin pump 300 is an example of an apparatus that can be used with theprotocol translation device described in conjunction with FIGS. 1, 2A,and 2B above. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the protocoltranslation device can be used with any apparatus with a batterycompartment.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the insulin pump 300 includes an insulin pumpcasing 310 with face trim 312 and end cap 314. The insulin pump casing310 has an insulin pump interior volume operable to receive the insulinpump components, including therapeutic agent receiver 322, insulin pumpdrive 320, insulin pump electronics 324 operable to control the insulinpump drive 320, and battery compartment 326. A protocol translationdevice can be placed in the battery compartment 326 of the insulin pump300.

FIG. 4 is another schematic diagram of a protocol translation devicemade in accordance with the invention. The protocol translation device400 includes a translator 420 and a battery 440 disposed within aninterior volume of a battery casing. In this embodiment, the translator420 includes a first antenna (RF antenna) 422, a translator circuit 430,and a second antenna (BLE antenna) 424. The translator circuit 430includes an RF transceiver (reconfigurable RF module MCU) 428 operablyconnected to the first antenna 422, a programmable radio-on-chip (BLEARM MCU) 426 operably connected to the second antenna 424, and a databus 427 operably connected for communication between the RF transceiver428 and the programmable radio-on-chip 426. The first antenna 422 can beprinted on the printed circuit board to which the other components ofthe translator 420 are attached.

The translator circuit 430 also includes a power management chip(battery charge/power delivery management module) 429 operably connectedto the RF transceiver 428, the programmable radio-on-chip 426, thebattery 440, and power terminals 402. The power management chip 429regulates power to the components of the translator 420 and governscharging of the battery 440 through the power terminals 402 with aremovable charger 450, such as a standard AAA charger compatible withthe chosen chemistry of the battery 440. Through the power terminals402, the battery 440 can power an apparatus (external system power) 452in which the protocol translation device 400 is installed. The removablecharger 450 and the apparatus 452 are external to the battery casing ofthe protocol translation device 400.

Some exemplary components for use in the protocol translation device 400are as follows: the second antenna 424—W3008 Ceramic 2.4 GHzBT/WLAN/WiFi Antenna manufactured by Pulse Electronics of San Diego,Calif., USA; the programmable radio-on-chip 426—CYBL10563 chip in theCYBL10X6X Programmable Radio-on-Chip With Bluetooth Low Energy (PRoCBLE) family manufactured by Cypress Semiconductor of San Jose, Calif.,USA; the RF transceiver 428—CC1101 Low-Power Sub-1GHz RF Transceivermanufactured by Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex., USA; and the powermanagement chip 429—MAX8971 1.55A 1-Cell Li+DC-DC Charger manufacturedby Maxim Integrated of San Jose, Calif., USA. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that these particular components are for illustrationonly and that other components can be selected as desired for aparticular application.

It is important to note that FIGS. 1-4 illustrate specific applicationsand embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to limit thescope of the present disclosure or claims to that which is presentedtherein. Upon reading the specification and reviewing the drawingshereof, it will become immediately obvious to those skilled in the artthat myriad other embodiments of the invention are possible, and thatsuch embodiments are contemplated and fall within the scope of thepresently claimed invention.

While the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are presentlyconsidered to be preferred, various changes and modifications can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thescope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims, and allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalents areintended to be embraced therein.

1. A protocol translation device for use with a first apparatus having a battery compartment and communicating over a first wireless protocol, and for use with a second apparatus communicating over a second wireless protocol, the protocol translation device comprising: a battery casing sized to fit within the battery compartment, the battery casing defining an interior volume; a translator comprising: a first antenna operable to communicate with the first apparatus; a second antenna operable to communicate with the second apparatus; and a translator circuit operably connected between the first antenna and the second antenna, the translator circuit being operable to translate between the first wireless protocol and the second wireless protocol, being operable to communicate with the first antenna on the first wireless protocol, and being operable to communicate with the second antenna on the second wireless protocol; and a battery operably connected to power the translator; wherein the translator, which comprises the first antenna and the second antenna, and the battery are disposed within the interior volume.
 2. The protocol translation device of claim 1 wherein the battery is operably connected to power the first apparatus.
 3. The protocol translation device of claim 1 wherein the battery is rechargeable.
 4. The protocol translation device of claim 1 wherein the battery casing is the same size as a battery selected from the group consisting of a AA battery and a AAA battery.
 5. The protocol translation device of claim 1 wherein the first wireless protocol is a 916.5 MHz OOK protocol and the second wireless protocol is a Bluetooth protocol.
 6. The protocol translation device of claim 1 wherein the first wireless protocol has a modulation scheme selected from the group consisting of OOK, 2-FSK, ASK, GFSK, and MSK operating on a broadcast band selected from the group consisting of 916.5 MHz, ISM, SRD, and MICS.
 7. The protocol translation device of claim 1 wherein the second wireless protocol is selected from the group consisting of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, 802.11, and HiperLAN.
 8. A protocol translation device for use with a first apparatus having a battery compartment and communicating over a first wireless protocol, and for use with a second apparatus communicating over a second wireless protocol, the protocol translation device comprising: a battery casing sized to fit within the battery compartment, the battery casing defining an interior volume; a translator comprising: a first antenna operable to receive a first-in signal from the first apparatus, the first-in signal conforming to the first wireless protocol; a translator circuit operable to receive the first-in signal from the first antenna and operable to translate the first-in signal to a second-out signal conforming to the second wireless protocol; and a second antenna operable to receive the second-out signal from the translator circuit and operable to transmit the second-out signal to the second apparatus; and a battery operably connected to power the translator; wherein the translator, which comprises the first antenna and the second antenna, and the battery are disposed within the interior volume.
 9. The protocol translation device of claim 8 wherein: the second antenna is further operable to receive a second-in signal from the second apparatus, the second-in signal conforming to the second wireless protocol; the translator circuit is further operable to receive the second-in signal from the second antenna and operable to translate the second-in signal to a first-out signal conforming to the first wireless protocol; and the first antenna is further operable to receive the first-out signal from the translator circuit and operable to transmit the first-out signal to the first apparatus.
 10. The protocol translation device of claim 8 wherein the battery is operably connected to power the first apparatus.
 11. The protocol translation device of claim 8 wherein the battery is rechargeable.
 12. The protocol translation device of claim 8 wherein the battery casing is the same size as a battery selected from the group consisting of a AA battery and a AAA battery.
 13. The protocol translation device of claim 8 wherein the first wireless protocol is a 916.5 MHz OOK protocol and the second wireless protocol is a Bluetooth protocol.
 14. The protocol translation device of claim 8 wherein the first wireless protocol has a modulation scheme selected from the group consisting of OOK, 2-FSK, ASK, GFSK, and MSK operating on a broadcast band selected from the group consisting of 916.5 MHz, ISM, SRD, and MICS.
 15. The protocol translation device of claim 8 wherein the second wireless protocol is selected from the group consisting of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, 802.11, and HiperLAN.
 16. A protocol translation device for use with an insulin pump having a battery compartment sized to fit a AAA battery and communicating over a 916.5 MHz OOK protocol, and for use with a smart phone communicating over a Bluetooth protocol, the protocol translation device comprising: a battery casing sized to a AAA battery form factor, the battery casing defining an interior volume; a translator comprising: a first antenna operable to communicate with the insulin pump; a second antenna operable to communicate with the smart phone; and a translator circuit operably connected between the first antenna and the second antenna, the translator circuit being operable to translate between the 916.5 MHz OOK protocol and the Bluetooth protocol, being operable to communicate with the first antenna on the 916.5 MHz OOK protocol, and being operable to communicate with the second antenna on the Bluetooth protocol; and a rechargeable battery operably connected to power the translator and the insulin pump; wherein the translator, which comprises the first antenna and the second antenna, and the rechargeable battery are disposed within the interior volume. 